Deep seaport to be set up at Sagar Island: Mamata

Sagar Island: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Friday announced a roadmap for the development of Sagar Island, where Gangasagar Mela is held, and the Sunderbans, saying one of the projects would be the setting up of a deep seaport.

"A deep sea port is being built at Sagar for which we don`t have to acquire land. We had a meeting with the Planning Commission for the project. We will build it. This will usher in development here," Banerjee said at a function here in the South 24-Paraganas district.
Criticising the previous Left Front government for failing to bring in development in the area, she said, "We don`t indulge in spreading canard. We will show how to work. We will usher in development from Sunderbans to Sagar. We will set up a university and a medical college in the district".

She said that tourism and other state government departments were working for the development of the area.

"I am happy to see that development is already taking place".
Banerjee said that 15 cyclone-centres would be built in the area and the people would get three cottachs of land each to build houses and start a business venture under "Nija bhumi, nija griha" (own land, own house) scheme.

The farmers would get loans under Kishan Credit Card and crop insurance would be made available to them, she said.

The state government has also taken up a programme to set up cold storages in 371 blocks in the state to enable the farmers to store their produce and not to resort to distress sale, Banerjee said.